Match Review
Bala said:
That was an awesome win. But as MWaugh said, the injuries, if any, could create havoc in Ranieri's side as they have lost 6 and got just 1 in.
I fully agree to that, and am also slightly worried about that situation. Lets just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.
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Missed chances prove costly for K?ln
Fernando Meira heads in the winning goal
Fernando Meira's header early in the second half was enough to hand the visitors three points. Earlier in the first half Peter Madsen equalised for K?ln, after his international team-mate Jon Dahl Tomasson had given Stuttgart the lead with a fabulous strike.
K?ln and Stuttgart faced each other in the Bundesliga, with both teams in desperate need of a win. K?ln wanted to build on last week's draw with Bayern at the AllianzArena.
At it was the home side that had the first chance but Youssef Mokhtari's long distance shot went over the bar.
Then in the tenth minute of play, former AC Milan striker, Jon Dahl Tomasson put the vistors in front with a fantastic goal. The Danish international cut infield with the ball, and blasted a banana shot from outside the area finding the top right corner of the K?ln goal. Tomasson celebrated his first official goal for Stuttgart by running along the touchline with hands stretched across, and doing a high-five with manager Claudio Ranieri in the end.
Stuttgart's celebrations were short lived as just six minutes later, another Danish player, Peter Madsen put the home side back in the game, when he picked up Lukas Podolski's wonderful ball, and went for goal, and despite Ludovic Magnin's sliding attempt to the stop the ball, he only managed to deflect it into the goal.
Podolski could have then given K?ln the lead, but despite doing very well to take the ball into the penalty area, his final shot only found the side netting.
Thomas Hitzlsperger then got the first yellow card of the game for holding back K?ln's Carsten Cullmann. The referee also showed Christian Kaln the yellow card shortly after, for bringing down Jesper Gronkjaer.
Mario Carevic had a fantastic chance to score, when he rose above Martin Andresen and directed Thomas Hitzlsperger's cross towards the goal. But K?ln keeper Stefan Wessels produced a fantastic save and tipped it above and outside for a corner.
The scores were still level at half-time, with the home side having a better game so far. No changes were made during half-time.
Play was then restarted, and just three minutes later Fernando Meira struck with a fine header to give Stuttgart the surprise lead. Stuttgart had won a free kick in the K?ln half, and Andreas Hinkel passed the ball to Gronkjaer who ran along the right flank and delivered a nice ball in. Fernando Meira won the aerial challenge against Alpay and headed the ball into the goal. The Portuguese defender then danced his way, along with his team-mates, to the Stuttgart fans with his arms raised.
Stuttgart's defence was once again breached by Peter Madsen, whose final shot required a brilliant save from Timo Hildebrand to keep it out. Hildebrand was furious with his defenders.
Silvio Mei?ner and Christian Tiffert were then brought on for Jesper Gronkjaer and Cacau as Ranieri decided to go on the defensive. Mei?ner took over Fernando Meira's defensive midfield position, while the latter moved back, and formed a five man defence now.
Gonzalo Castro was the third receipent of a yellow card, when he held back Thomas Hitzlsperger. K?ln made their first substitution of the match as Javier Ara?jo was replaced by Sebastian Schindzielorz. Shortly after the homeside had a shot again when Martin Andresen tried to curl one from long range, but never really bothered Hildebrand.
Lukas Podolski then was looking dangerous with a fine run, but was brought down by Fernando Meira just outside the penalty area. Meira wasnt the last man however, and hence was only given a yellow card for the challenge. Podolski took the resulting free kick himself and blasted it high and wide, as another change went begging for the home side.
The home side then made a double chance as Gonzalo Castro and Martin Andresen made way for striker Albert Streit and midfielder Tobias Nickening.
Thomas Hitzlsperger could have then put the game beyond K?ln, when he picked up Ludovic Magnin's pass and took the play inside, only to shoot off-target in the end.
Then just four minutes from full time Youssef Mokhtari found Peter Madsen inside the penalty area, but the latter's shot was too weak and easily saved by Timo Hildebrand.
Christian Genter came in for Thomas Hitzlsperger in the final minute of normal time, as Ranieri went on the ultra defensive.
The referee blew the whistle at full time, as the game turned to be one of missed chances for the home side. The visiting Stuttgart fans celebrated as the players shook hands and exchanged their team shirts. Claudio Ranieri especially looked releaved to have gone back to winning ways.
After the match the 53 year old Italian had this to say:
"Well I am glad to have won this game. It was a difficult game, and K?ln were playing really well. But I thought we made the most of our chances, which won us the game in the end."
K?ln manager Uwe Rapolder also blamed his team's poor conversion rate for the defeat.
"Both teams had chances, but they converted and we didnt. Infact I thought we had the better attempts, and actually controlled most of the game. But in the end its a costly defeat for us and we have to now work harder in order to get the points," said Rapolder.
Fernando Meira did well both in midfield and in defence, and also scored the winning goal. It was only right then to name him the man of the match.
"It was a tough game for us, but we managed to get the win, which is a good sign. It is difficult to win games in which you havent been the better team, but we have done it, so I'm happy," said Fernando Meira.
now thats what i call a transfer! Good Conversation Vaughany, it really was fun reading it. Keep it Up! 
